Poetry, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and culture from a Lao American perspective.

Friday, January 09, 2015

Lao Americans in the St. Paul Pioneer Press: Refuge of the Invisiblao

The Pioneer Press in Minnesota doesn't often cover Lao Americans even though there are at least 12,000 Lao Minnesotans according to the Census 2010, enough to make up a city the size of Monticello or Worthington. If the Lao Assistance Center estimates of nearly 24,000 is correct, that would be a city the size of Crystal.

So, it's exciting to see that the "Refuge of the InvisibLao" exhibit was covered this weekend by Debra O'Connor in "Minneapolis exhibit showcases Laotian-American art" with a focus on St. Paul resident and Lao American playwright Saymoukda Vongsay and Little Laos on the Prairie founding editor Chanida Phaengdara Potter. Vongsay is best known lately for her play Kung Fu Zombies vs. Cannibals, and contributed her poem "Letter to My Unborn Self" to the exhibit.

I contributed my poems "Jaew," "Leuk Lao," "Commodity" and "At Home" to the exhibit which will be on display for two weeks at the Vine Art Center in South Minneapolis. This is the first exhibit and event of the year to celebrate and reflect on the 40 years of the Lao diaspora since the end of the conflict in 1975. Be sure to stop by the exhibit if you get a chance.

The exhibit will also include art by Chantala Kommanivanh who is braving the Midwestern snowstorms to participate this weekend. The event is free and open to the public.

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About Me

An award-winning Laotian American writer, I work actively to support Laotian, Hmong and Southeast Asian American artists. I am recognized by the Loft Literary Center, the Minnesota State Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts. I also served as a consulting contractor with the Minnesota History Center, the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans and the Minnesota Humanities Commission. I am an active professional member of the Horror Writer Association and president of the Science Fiction Poetry Association.

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This activity was made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.